The last 2 weeks have been very trying. I lost my "Old Guy", Mr. Kodi. He had tumors on his spleen that grew rapidly, robbed his blood supply, and pushed on his heart and lungs. I haven't grieved yet, partly because I am tired of losing those I love, and partly because Southern California started burning.

Several of my friends were evacuated during this tragedy, and I spent sleepless nights last week waiting to see if it was my turn. My neighbors and I were on rooftops during the early morning hours watching the fires move down the mountains. It is very interesting how the mind works when faced with making split second decisions.

Now, the winds have died down, and the fires are reluctantly surrendering their power. My friends lost their house and all the dog out-buildings. They lost everything except what they evacuated with. Now, they are staying at my house. two humans and a boat load of poodles...... Life throw so many curves.

I haven't had much time to visit your blogs. I hope you are all doing well, and I will visit as soon as I can.

I guess I haven't posted any photos in a long time. So, for my blogging buddies I will try to paint a picture.... There isn't a whole lot that is visibly different with my house. Last Friday, the painters started painting the exterior trim. I just don't have what it takes to paint, so I have to pay someone to do it.

The front trim color.

The rear trim color.

The front color is a greenish gray, and the rear trim color is a grayish gray. I chose a color that was more compatible with the brick deck in the back. After the trim is painted then the stucco guys will come back and put the final color on the stucco.

Last weekend I went up to a friend's greenhouse. I wanted to buy 2 Paphiopediluum orchids. 2 very small orchids. Since I have torn down all my covered porches I don't have anywhere to put my orchids right now, but I thought 2 more wouldn't hurt. Once an addict, always.........


He decided to give me 1-1/2 pallets of orchids. Some had some frost damage, and the box of bulbophyyllums, well, he just wanted to get me started on a collection.

So, now I need to build an overhang to keep my orchids from the sun.......

I will post photos of the white hairy ones next time.